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ES-DE Frontend

es-de.org

  • Free
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Open source
Visit es-de.org Prices Alternatives

What it is

On Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows, ES-DE Frontend brings games from more than 150 systems into one launcher. It includes emulator setup, scraping, metadata editing, themes, custom collections, screensavers, and controller navigation. Windows, macOS, and Linux editions cost nothing and publish their source code. The Android edition costs money and keeps some code closed, while emulator configuration remains a separate task.

Good, and not so good

  • Supports over 150 game systems
  • Free, open-source desktop releases
  • Scraper plus per-game metadata editing
  • Themes, custom collections, and controller navigation
  • Optional XML-based system and launch customization
  • RetroArch and standalone emulators need separate setup
  • Android costs money and is only partly open source
  • Touch controls are inconvenient without a controller
  • Manual scraping sends names or hashes to external databases
  • Android requires 64-bit Android 10 or later

Who it suits

Players organizing large multi-system collections Controller-first living-room setups Desktop users who want open-source customization

Choose ES-DE when your priority is a single, customizable library view across many systems and locally installed games. Its desktop editions cost nothing and expose their source, while the scraper, metadata tools, themes, and controller navigation help make a large collection manageable. Plan time for emulator setup, especially RetroArch. Android adds a one-time store purchase or an unstated Patreon price, plus partly closed source code and 64-bit Android 10 requirements. It is a strong organizer and launcher, but not a substitute for configuring the emulators it starts.

Plans

  • AndroidPaid app; the page does not state a price · Purchase once · use on all your devices · no subscriptions or additional costs · partially…On request
  • Windows, macOS and LinuxFree to download and use · fully open sourceFree
  • Windows, macOS and Linux desktopFully open source · freely distributableFree
  • Android (Samsung Galaxy Store)Paid Android app · in-app purchases listed$6.50 once

As gitlab.com lists them, read 2 Oct 2026.

Questions

Which platforms support ES-DE?
ES-DE runs on Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Desktop releases are free and fully open source; Android is paid and partially closed source.
How many systems can ES-DE handle?
ES-DE's official site lists support for more than 150 game systems.
Does ES-DE configure emulators automatically?
It ships configured for many emulators and related services, but RetroArch and standalone emulators still require separate setup.
What does the scraper collect?
When started manually, the scraper downloads game information and media, including images, videos, and manuals. Game names or MD5 hashes are sent to ScreenScraper or TheGamesDB.
Can I customize the interface?
Yes. Configuration options and themes can be changed, themes can be fetched with the built-in downloader, metadata can be edited, custom collections can be created, and four screensaver modes are available.
What are the Android requirements?
The Android FAQ identifies a 64-bit device running Android 10 or later as the basic requirement.
How much does the Android app cost?
The Samsung Galaxy Store listing shows a $6.50 one-time price. The Android purchase has no subscription or additional device costs; other channels do not list a price.